Info on a 1962 Fender "Brownface" concert amp?

[Fuzz_Mountain]

I'm going to be traveling for work next week so, naturally, I do what any gear addict would and check the city I'm traveling to for gear to pick up!

I'm seeing a 1962 Fender 4x10 concert amp that's got my eye. I've never played one of these so I'm wondering if anyone can fill me in. Hidden gem? Underwhelming?

I understand a bit about the brown era, bridging the gap between tweed and blackface. Not as scooped and the black era but not as raunchy as tweed right? I know the tremolo is to die for. No reverb on this amp but that's not a deal breaker for me.

I contacted the seller and he told me it was serviced when he bought it and only has a few hours on it. He also said he hasn't used it in years which has me worried about dried up caps. Speakers are not original but are apparently from a 64 super reverb. I'm told tubes "are fine" which could be a roll of the dice.

Seller is asking about $1400 USD (1800 CDN) but is open to reasonable offers. So, thoughts? Worth checking out? Fair price?

 

[calfzilla]

If it has the original iron, that's a pretty good price. Of course, if you're looking for a potential flip, the replaced speakers and potential complete recap (he didn't state what "service" he had done did he?) could make it a tough sell. If you're looking for a keeper amp though.... That thing would be hard to beat.

 

[Fuzz_Mountain]

Thanks, always looking for keepers. I never buy anything to flip, might be worth checking out if the guy isn't too far of a drive away. I love Fender amps but never owned a vintage brownface.

 

[calfzilla]

Thanks, always looking for keepers. I never buy anything to flip, might be worth checking out if the guy isn't too far of a drive away. I love Fender amps but never owned a vintage brownface.

It's not as popular or collectible as a Super, Deluxe, or Princeton from the same era, but that brown Fender sound is pretty hard to replicate.

 

[erksin]

It will have the harmonic vibrato circuit which is pant$hittingly awesome.

Based on that pic alone, that amp would go for $2000 or more in my town provided it was electronically healthy. $1400 is a steal, IMO.

 

[jnovac1]

I'm going to be traveling for work next week so, naturally, I do what any gear addict would and check the city I'm traveling to for gear to pick up!

I'm seeing a 1962 Fender 4x10 concert amp that's got my eye. I've never played one of these so I'm wondering if anyone can fill me in. Hidden gem? Underwhelming?

I understand a bit about the brown era, bridging the gap between tweed and blackface. Not as scooped and the black era but not as raunchy as tweed right? I know the tremolo is to die for. No reverb on this amp but that's not a deal breaker for me.

I contacted the seller and he told me it was serviced when he bought it and only has a few hours on it. He also said he hasn't used it in years which has me worried about dried up caps. Speakers are not original but are apparently from a 64 super reverb. I'm told tubes "are fine" which could be a roll of the dice.

Seller is asking about $1400 USD (1800 CDN) but is open to reasonable offers. So, thoughts? Worth checking out? Fair price?

get it.

 

[Teleplayer]

Offer $1,394.50 for it.

 

[sfarnell]

Good price for a brownface Concert assuming the transformers are original. It has the same output transformer as the much in demand and coveted one used in the '59 Bassman. Fewer and fewer of those around.

 

[Dewey Decibel]

Good price for a brownface Concert assuming the transformers are original. It has the same output transformer as the much in demand and coveted one used in the '59 Bassman. Fewer and fewer of those around.

That's what I came in to say- make sure that OT is original! Also the harmonic vibrato is killer and much more usable than something like the Magnatone vibrato IMO.

When I was starting out (early '90s) you could buy these amps for $500-800 all day, they're kinda sleepers as long as you don't mind the size/weight.

 

[bigben55]

I've played that amp several times; a guy used to lug it to a local blues jam, with his 60s 335. GREAT sounding amp! Not the headroom monster you'd think it'd be, nor super crunchy. Just great bluesy OD, and yes, pants shittingly awesome tremolo. Unlike my BFSR tremolo, it's more like an effect, phasey and lush.

 

[Laurence]

Wiitout additional info/photos it's hard to give a firm recommendation for this amp in terms of price, but...I've paid the same (actually a but more) for a '61 super a few years ago. The Brown harmonic vibrato is a siren's song.

If the iron is original, and the speakers are strong (assuming form an actual '64 BFSR, hopehully CTC alnicos's), I'd buy it; but I'm pretty much an amp freak. A Brown Concert is made to be played loud, top/mid up with the bass down and then control with the guitar. If that sounds like you, this may be a good fit. Don't expect a Super Reverb...

 

[corbetta]

I have a Brown Fender Pro (1x15). I think it's a terrific amp; fantastic cleans and a mean raunchy driven tone. Takes pedals well too; I assume the 4x10 may be even better, but it's gonna be heavy. If this has the original transformers it's well below market price—they seem to be inching higher by the day.

 

[ryandfl]

I have a '63 Concert Amp and love it like crazy.

For some context I was using a '65 Showman (twin) and consider the Concert a large upgrade. It's just sounds nice. The tremelo is awesome. And mine sounds warm at pretty low volumes.

It is heavy as hell.

I wouldn't worry about the tubes or speakers much if it sounds good. Mine weren't original...

I'm able to get all kinds of great sounds with it, including super saturated stuff. It's definitely good with pedals.

My only complaint is that it's really sensitive to input volume. It shapes the sound a lot. I have to manage my pedals closely to stay in a window. That said, it makes the volume knob really useful.

Mine is kind of bassy. The guy that owned it before me said he had a second one which was not so bassy. So...I know that they can be a a little boomy, but I believe it's not universal. I just have the bass down really low, not a big deal aside from being harder to really finely dial in with a short range.

Just laying out the downsides of my unit. It really is incredible and feels like My Amp, beyond my normal gear connection.

I listen to amp demos and they largely don't sound good enough or have a lot of overlap with the Concert.

 

[rmconner80]

Absolutely killer amps. I have two!!! I'd snap that one up at that price. Looks like the handle may be a replacement, and I'd get rid of those casters (I just have a general hate for casters).

I run eminence 1028K in one and blue frame Fender alnicos in the other (same speaker) and with those speakers, it's actually not that heavy of an amp. I agree they are bassy... but you just turn down the bass.

The 4x10 package is legendary. The 6G12-A Concert is seriously one of Fender's greatest amps.

 

[Steppin' Wolfe]

IF the transformers are original, I say go for it. He has it priced correctly with non-original speakers.

 

[Jahn]

I had one. Best harmonic vibrato in the biz. Would still have it if I had the space. It was big and heavy. But glorious. Here is my demo of it with a 60s Guild Starfire:

 

[GrungeMan]

Get the tranny numbers to find out if they are original? Didn't I just see you over at the Emporium thread?

 

[[email protected]]

as stated, if the iron and circuit are original, it's a pretty good price for a great amp!

 

[swiveltung]

The Oxford 10K5 speakers like this, are rare and worth big money. The Brown Concerts used some other speakers too. But if it had the 10K5's it would be worth more I would think.. Not sure how much the price comes down without those. http://www.vahan-michaelian.com/images/Amps/1960_Fender_Concert/1960_Fender_Concert004.jpg
a few years ago a pair of these speakers went of something like $350 on ebay. They were used in the brown Super also. They are ceramic but appear like alnico with the covers. Collectors probably want them for amps missing them I suppose.
A brown Concert went for $1526 on Ebay recently and it had the 10K5's. So probably had $700 worth of speaker in it.

 

[Fuzz_Mountain]

Get the tranny numbers to find out if they are original? Didn't I just see you over at the Emporium thread?

Sure did. It's a wonderful time to be buying gear!